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Libertarian Leader from Ladies of Liberty Alliance Detained by Maduro’s Regime in Venezuela

As of August 6th at 9:30 pm, María Oropeza, the leader of the LOLA chapter in Portuguesa, Venezuela, was abducted from her home by the Nicolás Maduro regime. This unjust action is a direct response to María’s fearless advocacy for freedom and her active role in María Corina Machado’s campaign for a freer Venezuela.

María, a 30-year-old lawyer and activist, has dedicated her life to the principles of liberty. Now, she faces a dire situation, and we must act swiftly to ensure her safety and secure her release. We are gathering legal support with experience in defending political figures, but the costs are immense. In addition to legal fees, we urgently need to cover the expenses of getting essential supplies, such as food and supplements, to María in prison. We also need to support her mother by providing transportation and assistance, as she currently lacks a vehicle and resources to manage these challenges on her own. Basic needs, which are extremely costly in Venezuela, include paying necessary taxes and legal fees to navigate this complex situation.

LOLA Wins the Prestigious Atlas Network Prize for Championing María Oropeza’s Freedom!!!

LOLA is excited to announce a remarkable achievement! At Atlas Network’s annual Liberty Forum & Freedom Dinner, participants in the Leader Lab training program compete in the prestigious John Blundell Elevator Pitch competition. This year, LOLA won the first place prize with an outstanding 60-second pitch delivered by Anne Dias on championing Maria Oropeza’s Freedom.

Anne’s winning pitch focused on raising awareness about María Oropeza’s case, a story that resonates deeply with our mission at LOLA. María is a Venezuelan political prisoner detained under Nicolás Maduro’s oppressive regime, emblematic of the ongoing struggle for freedom in Venezuela.

Anne’s moving pitch highlighted María’s situation and emphasized the urgency of standing up for those whose voices are silenced by authoritarian regimes. Speaking on such a prominent stage and sharing María’s story was an incredible opportunity to bring this issue to light and inspire action.

Anne’s victory secured a $1,500 award for LOLA, which will be a tremendous aid in fighting for her freedom.

We are immensely grateful to the Atlas Network for providing this platform and for their invaluable support in spotlighting freedom fighters like María Oropeza. Their partnership enables meaningful progress toward liberty-focused solutions worldwide.

Please join us in celebrating LOLA’s extraordinary achievement and our commitment to advancing the ideals of freedom. Anne’s victory reminds us that one voice, when raised with conviction, can indeed change the world.

Latest Update

  • On August 6, 2025, one year has passed since the arbitrary detention of María Oropeza, a Venezuelan activist and leader of the international organization Ladies of Liberty Alliance (LOLA). María was abducted by the General Directorate of Military Counterintelligence (DGCIM) without any judicial order, solely for speaking out against Nicolás Maduro’s regime.
  • At the time of her arrest, María was working on the presidential campaign of María Corina Machado — the leading figure of the Venezuelan opposition, winner of the 2023 primaries, and a vocal critic of the chavista dictatorship. María Corina has been systematically targeted by the regime, disqualified from running for office, and having her team members, including María Oropeza, persecuted and repressed.
  • For the first two months after her abduction, María’s family had no information about her whereabouts. It was only after that period that her mother was allowed to visit. It confirmed that María is being held at El Helicoide — widely known as the largest torture center in Latin America. According to information obtained by LOLA from María’s family, they are currently allowed to visit her every 15 days, and the regime has complied with this obligation so far.
  • On August 2024, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) issued Resolution 46/2024, granting precautionary measures in favor of María Oropeza, recognizing that her rights are at serious risk of irreparable harm. This action came after LOLA petitioned the Commission on María’s behalf, urging immediate release.
  • Despite the resolution, the regime ignored the deadline to respond and instead escalated its intimidation efforts. The DGCIM even released a video of María in custody in an attempt to manipulate public perception and weaken international pressure.
  • Throughout this past year, LOLA has taken a series of actions to denounce María’s case: submitting a petition to the IACHR, organizing fundraising campaigns for her family, and holding awareness events across several countries. 
  • “María is our friend. Seeing someone we admire being abducted by a dictatorship simply for defending her people’s freedom is outrageous. It’s a brutal reminder of what authoritarian regimes do to those who dare to think differently. We won’t rest until María is free,” says Letícia Barros, president of LOLA Brazil.
  • Marking one year since her arrest, LOLA is launching a renewed international awareness campaign to reignite media attention, pressure the regime, and mobilize public and institutional support for María’s release.
  • LOLA calls on authorities, activists, and citizens committed to freedom of expression to join this cause.

ENGLISH

Protests

LOLA’s commitment to María’s freedom remains unwavering. Remarkable progress has been made, including taking her case to the International Court, which has elevated her plight to the global stage.

  • Colombia: LOLA’s activists made progress in Congress, sparking critical discussions on María’s case. Peru’s event on September 8th united advocates, amplifying the call for justice and broadening support.
  • Guatemala: Activities on August 31st and September 6th energized the community, drawing international attention to Venezuela’s injustices.
  • Mexico: The mid-September recital honored María’s courage and advocated for her freedom. Bolivia’s workshop on freedom of expression highlighted human rights issues and María’s plight.
  • Ecuador: Online event rallied global support from the Venezuelan community.
  • Uruguay: Their social media campaign garnered substantial engagement, featuring a collage and appeal to politicians. In Brazil, protests in Rio de Janeiro and Paraná showcased LOLA’s collective strength and increased pressure on the Venezuelan government.
  • Washington D.C: LOLA Washington, D.C.’s protest drew national attention to María’s case.
  • Warsaw: LOLA Poland organized a protest for Maria in Warsaw
  • Pakistan: LOLA Pakistan organized an online event in support of Maria on September 7.
  • Argentina: Discussions with human rights experts strengthened the strategy for Maria’s release.

These events have heightened the visibility of María’s situation and demonstrated the power of LOLA’s community solidarity. Each chapter’s efforts have played a crucial role in raising awareness and applying pressure, showing that we are united in our fight for justice.

Together, LOLA will continue to raise our voices and push for María’s freedom, knowing that every action makes a difference.

MARIA'S PRESS RELEASE, 2025
MARIA'S PRESS RELEASE, 2024

Media Attention

We have over 100 media appearances on Maria’s behalf from all over the world. You can check out some of them below:

See all Media Mentions

Gloria Alvarez, a Guatemalan radio and television presenter, author, and libertarian political commentator urges the ladies of liberty from all around the world to join hands and gather as much resources for Maria and her family as possible because it is unjust for Maria, or any woman, to be detained by a dictator simply for having the courage to fight for a better country and for seeking liberty for their country. Regardless of one’s stance on the Venezuelan opposition, it is completely unacceptable for a woman to be deprived of her freedom for expressing themselves freely.

Donate now

We ask for your support of $25, $50, and $100 or more to release Maria.
We have reached our goal, but you can still contribute to the cause.

TOTAL AMOUNT RAISED:

5000
5000

Donate now to help Maria get the support that she needs and to secure her release

Donate to Free Maria

Donate now and write ‘Free Maria’ in the memo

Any contribution, no matter the size, is crucial in our fight to bring justice to María and her family.

We are gathering legal support with experience in defending political figures, but the costs are immense. In addition to legal fees, we urgently need to cover the expenses of getting essential supplies, such as food and supplements, to María in prison. We also need to support her mother by providing transportation and assistance, as she currently lacks a vehicle and resources to manage these challenges on her own. Basic needs, which are extremely costly in Venezuela, include paying necessary taxes and legal fees to navigate this complex situation

Other ways to donate:

  • Venmo

  • Paypal (please write ‘Free Maria’ in the memo)

  • Bank Transfer:

    • Bank Name: Chase Bank
    • Account Number: 601886727
    • Routing Number: 267084131
    • Routing Number (for wire transfer): 021000021
    • Swift Code: CHASUS33
    • LOLA Address: 712 H Street NE Suite 1644, Washington, DC- 2000

Other ways you can help:

  1. We encourage you to share María’s story on social media using our social media tool kit and the hashtag #FreeMariaOropeza. The more attention we can draw, the more pressure we can apply to secure her release.
    Share this message in your WhatsApp groups, on social media, with media outlets, and with friends and family.
    🚨👇Use these resources for posts:👇🚨
    * Click here for complete resources you can use for all social media, media efforts, and more.
  2. We urgently ask you to contact the international community, human rights organizations, influencers, politicians, family, friends, and the media in your country to help us spread this news and demand the immediate release of María Oropeza. Providing visibility and pressure to her case is crucial for her safety.

It is unjust for Maria, or any woman, to be detained by a dictator simply for having the courage to fight for a better country and for seeking liberty for their country. Regardless of one’s stance on the Venezuelan opposition, it is completely unacceptable for a woman to be deprived of her freedom for expressing themselves freely.

Media Inquiries:

Please contact Luciana Cavalcanti at luciana.cavalcanti@ladiesofliberty.org

Questions or requests about the LOLA Free Maria Campaign?

Please contact Luciana Cavalcanti at luciana.cavalcanti@ladiesofliberty.org

Video of Maria Oropeza's detention:

Maria Oropeza, leader of LOLA Venezuela, was brutally kidnapped by police forces of Maduro’s regime at her home in Portuguesa state at 9:30pm EST, Tuesday August 6, 2024.

Maria has been a political activist who was advocating for a free Venezuela since last 14 years. She worked alongside the leader of the opposition Maria Corina Machado and played a crucial role being an ambitious and consistent leader.

Maria Oropeza was kidnapped by Maduro’s regime agents without a judicial order.We still don’t know her whereabouts, and it’s crucial to spread this news to ensure her release.

Please share this video on your social media, with media outlets, and with friends and family #FREEMARIAOROPEZA

Donate to Free Maria

We need your help! Maria Oropeza needs your help! We won’t remain silent

Thank you for your support.